Convergent Design's Odyssey7Q+ is a monitor/recorder that provides all of the features and functionality of the Odyssey7Q but adds support for 4K recording over HDMI. It features a 7.7", 1280 x 800, OLED, touchscreen display with a 3400:1 contrast ratio, true blacks, and professional monitoring features such as waveform, histogram, vectorscope, anamorphic de-squeeze, and 3D LUT support. Out-of-the-box, the Odyssey7Q+ can record up to DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) and Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) in the compressed Apple ProRes 422 HQ format or up to 2K/1080p using the uncompressed DPX file format. The Titan Extract option, which allows you to create multiple HD windows from a single 4K source, is included. Additionally, it supports several RAW recording options for ARRI, Canon, Sony, and POV cameras, which are available for purchase or rental from Convergent Design's website.

The Odyssey7Q+ has two 3G-SDI inputs (6G-SDI compatibility requires firmware v2016.01), two 3G-SDI outputs, and two bi-directional 3G-SDI connectors which can be assigned as either inputs or outputs via menu selection. It also has a 4K-capable HDMI input and an HDMI output that supports up to 1080p30 4:2:2. Most of the inputs/outputs are on the bottom of the monitor, with 1/4"-20 mounting threads on the sides. Dual SSD slots are provided for recording video to Convergent Design Premium 2.5" SSDs, which offer high speeds, reliability, and power-loss protection. Select Samsung SSDs are also supported for more cost-effective recording media. An AC adapter is included for powering the device, with optional battery plates available. Also included is a 36" Micro HDMI to HDMI cable and a HDMI to Mini HDMI adapter, useful for using the Odyssey7Q+ with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras with Micro HDMI outputs.

Titan HD Extract Option

The Titan HD Extract option allows you to take one camera to a shoot and obtain three separate recordings (plus a live switch between the three images). This feature can add a multi-cam look to single-camera shoots without the expense of multiple cameras or recorders. One view is an HD downscale/super-sample of the full image area, and two views are windows selected from the full image area. These views can be panned smoothly through the 4K field, and the three views can be Live-Switched. All four HD views (The master/wide, the two windowed views, and the live-swtiched/program) can be recorded simultaneously in Apple ProRes with matching timecode and file names.

Firmware 2016.1

The following features have been added to the Odyssey 7Q+ with the release of firmware update 2016.1:

SDI inputs now support 6G-SDI in addition to 3G-SDI.

4K@60 can be recorded to Apple ProRes 422.

The Odyssey now supports 4K@30 from Blackmagic Design cameras.

Record 4:4:4 2K and HD video signals in 10- & 12-bit Apple ProRes 4444 or 4444(XQ). This supports many cameras, including Sony F3/F5/F23/F35/F55, Canon C300 Mark II/C500, Panasonic HPX3100, and more. (The HD or 2K input stream must be video, not raw, to use the Apple ProRes 4444 modes at this time.)

Monitoring

The Odyssey7Q+ features two dedicated 3G-SDI inputs, two dedicated 3G-SDI outputs, two switchable 3G-SDI input/outputs, one HDMI input, one HDMI output (up to 1080p 30fps). Active Cross-Conversion means that all outputs are always active regardless of which input is used.

Multi-Stream Monitoring

Up to four HD video signals can be input and viewed simultaneously (quad-split) or live-switched (choose between inputs for full screen display). A future paid update will allow
Multi-Stream Recording of up to four simultaneous Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) files and an XML log file of the live switch.

Note: All LUTs listed are in the industry-standard .cube format and are available with firmware v2015.7 or later. They must be loaded through the CD 3D-LUT Converter App and then loaded onto an Odyssey SSD or Odyssey Utility Drive in order to then be loaded into the Odyssey7Q+. Additional LUTs can be downloaded from Convergent Design's website.

Additional Monitoring Features

4K / 2K Monitoring Modes — 17:9 Letterboxed within 16:9 image or Center-Cut to 16:9. Letterbox or Center-Cut image is sent to video outputs, full image frame is recordedMonochrome Monitoring Mode — View Luma only or individual Red, Green, or Blue channel in grey toneAspect Ratio Guides — Standard and Custom (user adjustable), may be used for framing guides, Horizontal/Vertical framing guides available

Recording

4K / UHD / 2K / HD Video Recording

Record 4K (4096x2160), UHD (3840x2160), 2K (2048x1080) and HD (1920x1080, 1280x720) Video in Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) over SDI. The Odyssey7Q+ can record 4K/UHD 10-bit or 1080p60 10-bit over HDMI.

An HDMI-based 4K (4096x2160) or UHD (3840x2160) video signal can be supersampled in real time in the Odyssey7Q+ to a 2K (2048x1080) or HD (1920x1080) video signal and recorded in Apple ProRes (HQ, 422, or LT). The resulting images out-resolve the 2K/HD image that many smaller cameras can produce internally. Another advantage is if the camera is limited to 8-bit output, the Odyssey7Q+ supersampling will result in a pseudo-10-bit color sampling for improved color reproduction.

Note: Samsung SSDs draw more power than Odyssey SSDs. Convergent Design recommends using an AC-powered USB3 adapter or a Thunderbolt adapter when connecting Samsung SSDs to a computer.

Designed, Built, and Tested in the USA

Convergent Design monitors/recorders are designed and built in the United States and each model is thoroughly test before they are shipped. They go through a lengthy burn-in, where they are heat cycled while operating, and then endure another lengthy period where they are repeatedly turned on and off. They are also drop tested, then individually tested, all in Convergent Design's factory in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Beta CompanyI just purchased my second unit (formally owned the 7Q). The unit is pretty excellent once you get passed dealing with convergent-design. For the second time in a row they have advertised a working unit that does not work. You only get video out of the Canon video cameras (5D, c300, xf105) but no audio. Hmmm. What's the point of this again? Convergent-Design knew this but refused to let anyone know. They blame canon--which is fine--if they let us know before buying it. So I'm in the same boat as with the first go round, where the HDMI out wouldn't send audio. Here I am again, paying full price for a beta product.

Date published: 2016-08-23

Rated 1 out of
5 by
TayFil from
Nothing but problemsI've had this unit for 6 months and it is completely unreliable. For the price, you'd think they'd have all the bugs worked out, but no. I've had several issues, all I've addressed with them and although they quickly respond, no help is given, other than, we are aware of that issue and the next firmware upgrade with fix it List of problems: intermittent screen lock intermittent picture loss and distortion wavy lines on the top few pixels of the picture pink and red vertical lines over the entire screen camera trigger won't trigger the record on the unit battery gauge is primitive I would not recommend this unit at all

Date published: 2015-10-20

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Big pros, small cons...Turns my A7s into a incredibly powerful, low-light 4k camera. I love the quality of the pro-res files and love the upgrade to 3D LUTS (I found the built-in 709 LUT a little funky). It feels rugged and like it could take some abuse (a metal housing), which is why I opted for this over the Atomos Shogun. The placement of the mounts is annoying. I would have appreciated a custom built HDMI cable (running out of a DSLR means you've got 3 different sizes of HDMI in play). It's a bummer that the drives cost so much. They fill up fairly quickly in 4k, but it just forces you to work film-style (shoot less, don't keep the camera rolling).

Date published: 2015-06-17

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Max from
Like the product, love the support!Just had my first shoot with the Odyssey 7Q+ on my a7s, and was very impressed. It pretty much turned my pro-sumer DSLR into a fully equipped production camera outputting post production friendly HQ Prores files. I would love to have the DNXHD option as well, but that will hopefully come soon with a simple firmware update (fingers crossed). What I liked most about this product is the technical support. Dan Keaton has always been willing to help with any simple or complex question I've had so far. Customer support on these types of products are always very important to me, so Dan really has me very happy so far with my Odyssey experience.

Date published: 2015-10-04

Rated 1 out of
5 by
Dan from
InexcusableThe 7Q+ feels clunkier and more dated than the Shogun in every way (we have both.) The UI is ugly, the screen is lower resolution (are 1080p screens so hard to make these days?) Even small things like the fact that the mount for the noga arm is in such an inconvenient place, the splitting of files, no included battery plate, and the lack of full size HDMI all make this a nuisance to work with. The biggest issues, things that are simply inexcusable, are definitely the split files and the lack of Samsung SSD support that we should have had last month. These guys don't even make any kind of nod to them screwing over everyone who already purchased the SSDs. It's been an all around lousy experience.

Date published: 2015-06-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
UtahProductions from
Not what I expectedThis unit has been touted as the best on the market...if that's the case we definitely need some new players. We just shot a music video with this and the c500 and it was a nightmare. Constant issues with the device shutting off, tons of split files, loading new profiles took forever (prores and raw), on and on. I really hope shogun gets their c500 support out soon. I'd be happy to move to a company who seems to care more about their customers. I called CD about some other issues and asked about their plans to compete with shogun and all they could do was bash the other device saying how superior theirs was and that they 'don't miss dates on firmware'. Hah!

Date published: 2015-06-16

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
To good to be trueI was attracted by the OLED screen and the multi-inputs, recording camera program by switching live, I usually shot with 2 or 3 cameras, I was very enthusiastic, and the price seem to be low for what it offered, but it was to good to be true, the software has a lot of bug, lines everywhere. I need it to reset the monitor several times during 10 hr job, but most important it has latency of 1 to 5 frames, which is unacceptable of a professional monitor now days. It really bugged me, to see the image out sync, against the realtime sound. The monitor seem to have a green color shift, which you need to ajust. I would recommend this monitor if you don't need to be that picky about the image and need a reference monitor.

Date published: 2016-03-02

Rated 1 out of
5 by
Anto from
Why don't you tell people all you need extra for this item?Why don't you tell people that many of the features of this item are extra and impossible to use if don't buy them from Convegent Design such as: SSD's, you also need to pay almost $1,000 usd more for being able to record 4K. This item is almost a fraud, from a guy who doesn't respect his clients and, of course, if you live outside the USA... NEVER BUY this item! Cause you will need to travel several times back in order to have a complete functioning item. In other words this items costs 2 times more of what B & H offers spent on peripherals